Relating to a type of telescope design where light is bent at a 90-degree angle, used in astronomy.
From French 'coudé' meaning 'bent' or 'elbowed,' from Latin 'cubitus' (elbow). The term was applied to telescope design because light is redirected like an elbow joint.
Astronomers named a telescope after an elbow because the light path literally bends at a sharp angle—it's one of those brilliant moments when scientists use everyday words to describe complex instruments!
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